Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-04-09

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frying ham, making coffee, al allowed
Thought to be busy, and Daisy sighingly
put away some of her day-dreams over her
homely tasks.
II cannot be q lady, she thought, sand
John won't be gentleman, but win try
to pay my share Of the debts.s
She had taken off her founces and hat,
and put on plain dress and large check
apron before she began to work; and she
was rather astonished, as her kitchen
duties progressed, to find herself happier
than she had been since she returned
home.
When John came to dinner he was as
tonished to find Aunt Mary squite
dressed up.s a. she blushingly said.
in q clean print dress and white
apron, her dear old face showing no sign
Of heat or WEAKNESS, while Daisy, with
added bloom and bare white arms, was
carrying in the dinner.
*The new girl, at your SERVICE" she
said, saucily, as she pulled down her
sleeves. @Dinner is ready, Sir"
But her lips quivered as he bent over her
and whispered, sGod bless you, dear!
Forgive me il I was too hasty this morn
ing"
It was merry meal. They made play
that was more than half earnest Of Aunt
Mary's being great lady who was to be
waited upon, and not allowed to rise from
the table upon any consideration. Dinner
over, John returned to his blowing, and
Aunt Mary, firmly refusing to sit in idle
ness, was allowed to wash cups and
saucers. while Daisy made short work Of
pots and pans.
John said but little as the days wore on
and still found Daisy at her post. It was
not in the nature of things for Aunt Mary
to sit with folded hands, but it became
Daisys task to inaugurate daily maps, to
see that only the light work came to the
older hands, to make daily work less of q
toll and more Of q pleasure.
And the young girl herself was surprised
to find how much she enjoyed the life that
had seemed to her mere drudgerv.
With younger hands to carry on the do
nestle affairs. they ceased to engross every
hour of the day, and John encouraged
Daisy in making use Of the stiff, shut-up
parlor as daily sitting-room. A pair of
muslin curtains at each window were skill
fully draped to keep out the flies, the
center table resigned it's gay vase of stiff
artificial flowers and stand of wax fruit, to
make room for two dainty work baskets
for afternoon work." and the periodicals
John took in. Over the shiny horse-hair
sofa and chairs pretty bits Of embroidery
were draped, and fresh flowers were sup
piled each day. Aunt Mary's caps, her
collars, and aprons were adjusted to suit
the new order OF things, and the easiest of
chairs stood ever ready for her resting
time.
And John, bringing to his task the same
will and brains that had carried him
through college, was inaugurating new
order of affairs on the farm, and made the
work pay we'll.
Once more came June day, when
Daisy sat in the fields, and John stood
leaning against the fence beside her.
Four years Of earnest, loving work had
left traces upon both young faces, en-,
nobling them, and yet leaving to them all
Many hours of self-denial both had met
bravely; many deprivations both had borne
we'll. Daisy wore black dress, and upon
the hat in Johns hand was band of
Grape, but through q sadness in their
voices there yet rang tone of happiness.
"You love me, Daisy2" John had said to
her.
aWhen have not loved your" she an
swered.
aAnd you will be my wife? Darling, I
have long loved you, but after Aunt Mary
was stricken down with paralysis would
not ask you to take up new duties. Now
she needs you no longer, and you shall
leave the farm whenever you WISH"
"Leave the farm! Oh, John, must We
leave it? I thought it was yours now"
$50 it is"
sAnd you have made it so beautiful, as
well as proftablel Oh, John, why must
we leave it?"
"Only because I thought it was yeur
wish"
ut would break my heart to go away. I
love my home"
And John, taking the little figure into
close embrace, wondered If any city could
produce sweeter, daintier little lady than
the one he held in his arms.